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Updated: May 16, 2026

Setting Limits on Supersymmetry Using Simplified Models
Published on: November 15, 2013
Parameter estimation in searches for the stochastic gravitational-wave background.
V Mandic1, E Thrane, S Giampanis
1School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, USA.
We developed a Bayesian framework to analyze the stochastic gravitational-wave background (SGWB). This method sets new limits on SGWB models and differentiates between various signal origins using gravitational-wave detector data.
Area of Science:
- Cosmology and astrophysics
- Gravitational-wave astronomy
Background:
- The stochastic gravitational-wave background (SGWB) is a superposition of unresolved gravitational waves from cosmological or astrophysical sources.
- The SGWB's spectral content provides insights into its generation physics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present a Bayesian framework for estimating parameters of different SGWB models.
- To apply this framework to LIGO data for setting confidence limits on SGWB models.
- To assess the sensitivity of future detectors and differentiate SGWB sources.
Main Methods:
- Bayesian inference framework for SGWB parameter estimation.
- Application to data from LIGO gravitational-wave detectors.
- Sensitivity estimation for second-generation detectors (e.g., Advanced LIGO, Virgo).
Main Results:
- First simultaneous 95% confidence level limits on multiple parameters for generic power-law and compact binary coalescence SGWB models.
- Estimation of sensitivity for future gravitational-wave detectors.
- Demonstration of combining SGWB measurements with individual compact binary coalescence observations.
Conclusions:
- The developed Bayesian framework enables robust SGWB analysis.
- New limits are placed on SGWB models using current detector data.
- The framework provides a novel method for distinguishing between different SGWB origins.
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